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ShareNew Delhi: A new government in Maharashtra is expected to be in place on Saturday, with the Congress and NCP breaking the 14-day deadlock over portfolio allocation that had prompted Governor SC Jamir to ask the coalition partners to honour the mandate of the people.
"Our negotiations with NCP for government formation is over. We have settled everything," defence minister AK Antony, who is in-charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, said after a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
The meeting with Gandhi took place a day after NCP gave its proposals for government formation and chief minister Ashok Chavan indicated that the next government would be in place within two days.
Congress and NCP leaders sidestepped questions as to when the swearing in would take place but alliance sources said Saturday could be the day for government formation.
While both sides were tight-lipped about the size of the ministry and their share, the talk in ruling circles was that NCP could swear in 20 ministers in one lot, while Congress could keep some berths vacant for the time being.
Congress and NCP rode back to power for the third time in a row making a mincemeat of the opposition Shiv Sena-BJP challenge in a mainly four-cornered contest in which Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Third Front also tried to make inroads.
"Ask the Chief Minister" was Antony's refrain when asked when the swearing in of the new government would take place. Ashok Chavan who was beside him remained silent.
Antony said details will be announced tomorrow when asked about the formula of power sharing between the two allies which is expected to be 20 ministries for NCP and 23 ministries for Congress.
NCP is expected to retain the key portfolios of Home, Finance, Power and Rural Development while Congress could be getting Public Health. The deadlock had prolonged as Congress had reportedly insisted on a new power sharing formula while NCP wanted a repeat of the 1999 formula of government formation.
Highly placed Congress sources also said there would be another round of internal meeting tomorrow before formal announcement of the details of power sharing.
The process of government formation gained momentum after Maharashtra governor SC Jamir yesterday said he was "very anxious to have an elected government installed as early as possible" and have asked the Congress-NCP combine to respect the people's mandate.
Reacting to Congress announcement, NCP leader and Union minsiter Praful Patel told PTI, "We are happy with the result of the dialogue with the Congress party and we will join the government."
